Full Breakdown
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody Takes Off-Broadway
5/28/2026, 6:20:04 AM
The Off-Broadway Premiere
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody opened at the Culture Club (formerly the McKittrick Hotel) in Manhattan on May 26, 2026. The show runs without an intermission for 85 minutes, with a seating capacity of fewer than 200 folding chairs. After strong ticket sales, the run was extended through September 7, 2026. Audience members are occasionally invited onstage for brief speaking parts, a device the production calls “volunteer Scott.”
Origins and Fan Phenomenon
The parody draws on the HBO Max/Crave series Heated Rivalry, which debuted in November 2025 and is based on Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” novels. The series quickly became a cultural touchstone, spawning nationwide “Heated Rivalry” raves at more than 200 venues across the United States and Canada, fan-generated look-alike contests, and a surge in merchandise such as Athletic IPAs and Yeti tumblers. The television show’s secondary romance between hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov attracted a large female viewership, a demographic the parody explicitly lampoons through the “Susan” trio of wine-mom characters.
Creative Team and Cast
Writer, composer, lyricist, and orchestrator Dylan MarcAurele conceived the parody, citing personal resonance with the series’ themes. Director and producer Alan Kliffer, a veteran of improv-driven productions, helmed the staging. The principal cast includes Jimin Moon as Shane Hollander, Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya Rozanov, and Ryann Redmond as the lead “Susan.” Supporting performers Cherry Torres, Ryan Duncan, and Thomas Doelger (who filled a volunteer role) round out the ensemble.
Production Details and Audience Experience
The opening number features the three Susans singing about “gay hockey players with big butts / having sex in their beds / on the couch, in their homes / also in hotels.” The show’s set, designed by Sully Ross, consists of revolving panels that occasionally jam, while lighting by Devin Cameron and sound by Germán Martínez emphasize the DIY aesthetic. Audience participation is highlighted when a front-row volunteer is asked to portray François Arnaud’s obsessive jogger, a moment that prompted Doelger’s quip, “You think a fire is gonna keep me from the stage?”
Cultural Significance
The parody reflects the series’ broader impact on queer representation and fan culture. Its extension through September signals sustained demand, while the framing device of the Susans underscores the show’s appeal to straight women—referred to by MarcAurele as “wine moms.” Harper’s Bazaar notes that the production “has become a full-on event” with fans arriving in hockey jerseys and rainbow flags, suggesting the parody has cemented itself as a communal celebration of queer love.
Official Responses
MarcAurele explained his motivation: “I think I identify a lot with Shane’s character,” and added, “I want the audience to experience the same emotions as they did when they saw the show or read the book.” Kliffer emphasized the show’s inclusive intent: “We want to be together in a communal space and have fun with joyous people who aren’t afraid to be themselves.”
Critical Viewpoints
The Guardian’s reviewer expressed an initial concern that the production might be a “cash-grab,” yet concluded it “satisfies all three camps.” No formal dissenting statements appear in the source set.
On-stage Observations
Reviewers noted the audience’s “cheers, whistles, and wine-glasses refilled” as the cast delivered double-entendre numbers such as “Shane Hollander Slap That Stick.” The participatory format and the “Susan” framing were repeatedly highlighted as crowd-pleasing elements.
Conflicting Details
The New York Times reported that the volunteer role required “only a few lines,” while a later NYT note described the script as seven pages long, indicating a discrepancy in the perceived length of the audience-participation segment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Tonight, the role of Scott Hunter will be played … by one of you.” — Ryann Redmond, performer
- “we are about to go on a wild ride.” — Ryann Redmond, performer
- “You think a fire is gonna keep me from the stage?” — Thomas Doelger, actor (volunteer)
- “I think I identify a lot with Shane’s character,” — Dylan MarcAurele, writer/composer
- “Johnson: The cultural impact is undeniably real, and I genuinely don’t sense the momentum slowing any time soon.” — Jay Armstrong Johnson, actor
- “I want the audience to experience the same emotions as they did when they saw the show or read the book,” — Dylan MarcAurele
Upcoming Developments
The parody is slated for its UK premiere at Underbelly during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe summer 2026, joining at least three other Heated Rivalry-themed productions on the festival circuit. The Off-Broadway run continues through September, with no announced changes to the creative team.
